PROGRAM  OF  EXERCISES 
ATTENDING  Tin:  VNvr.n.iM.  OF 
THE  STATl'K  OF 

ALKXANDKli  IIAMII /Vi  > N 

BIIITH    I'l.AZA,  TRKA91RY  HlILniNCl 

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ALEXANDER  HAMILTON  was  born  in  the  island  of  Nevis,  West 
Indies,  on  January  1 1,  1757,  and  died  in  New  York  July  12,  1804.  At  the 
age  of  12  years  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  earn  his  own  living  as  clerk  in  a 
counting  house  at  Saint  Croix,  but  his  genius  being  soon  recognized  funds 
were  raised  by  his  friends  to  enable  him  to  come  to  America  to  finish  his 
education.  He  arrived  here  in  1772  and  in  1774  entered  college  where  he 
made  a  brilliant  record  as  a  student.  In  March,  1776,  he  secured  a  com- 
mission in  the  Continental  Army  and  participated  in  important  battles  of 
the  Revolution,  displaying  skill  and  courage.  He  also  served  as  aid-de- 
camp on  the  staff  of  Washington.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  but  24 
years  of  age,  but  was  even  then  considered  one  of  the  great  men  of  the 
day.  He  was  elected  to  the  Continental  Congress  from  New  York  October 
1,  1782,  but  resigned  in  1783  and  returned  to  the  practice  of  law.  He  took 
an  active  part  in  the  preparation  of  the  Constitution  of  which  he  was  a 
signer.  When  Congress  in  1789  established  a  Treasury  Department, 
Washington  at  once  made  Hamilton  its  first  Secretary,  where  his  great 
ability  was  devoted  to  organizing  the  Department  and  inaugurating  a  suc- 
cessful national  financial  policy.  The  Encyclopedia  Americana  in  its  biog- 
raphy of  this  great  public  character  says  "American  history  presents  no 
more  striking  character  than  Alexander  Hamilton.  He  was  not  popular, 
nor  did  he  strive  after  popularity,  but  after  100  years  his  name  still  holds  a 
noble  eminence.  He  lived  for  the  public  good.  Eloquent  and  refined,  able 
and  brilliant,  the  embodiment  of  devotion,  integrity  and  courage,  he  has 
left  as  deep  a  mark  upon  our  political  institutions  as  any  other  statesman 
our  country  has  produced." 


Order  of  Exercises,  May  17,  1923,  3  P.  M. 

Hon.  A.  W.  Mellon, 

Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  Presiding 

Music 

Invocation  Rev.  Edgar  A.  Hamilton 

Introductory  Remarks  by  Presiding  Officer 

Unveiling  of  Monument  by  Miss  Eleanor  E.  Hamilton 

Music,  "Star  Spangled  Banner" 

Salute  from  U.  S.  Coast  Guard  Cutter  "Apache"     ^At  Anch°r  in 

Potomac  River 

Floral  Tributes 


Presentation  of  the 

Monument  by  JUSTICE  JOSIAH  A   VAN  ORSDEL 


Introduction  of  the  Sculptor,  Mr.  James  E.  Fraser 

Address  by  the  President 

and  acceptance  of  the  Memorial  on  behalf  of  the  United  States 

Benediction  Rev.  E.  Laurens  Hamilton 

Taps 

Music  by  U.  S.  Marine  Band 
Lieut.  Wm.  H.  Santelmann,  Director 


Alexander  Hamilton  Memorial  Commission 

Hon.  A.  W.  Mellon, 
Chairman  of  Commission. 

Hon.  Frank  D.  Brandegee,  Hon.  Norman  J.  Gould, 

Justice  Jcsiah  A.  Van  Orsdel, 

Mr.  Paul  Sleman,  Mr.  James  A.  Wetmore, 

Executive  and  Disbursing  Officer. 

Mr.  L.  A.  Simon, 
Secretary  of  Commission. 


Historical  Sketch  of  the  Alexander  Hamilton  Association 

The  Alexander  Hamilton  National  Memorial  Association  was  organized 
in  February,  1908,  for  the  purpose  of  raising,  by  public  or  private  subscrip- 
tion, the  money  necessary  to  erect  a  suitable  memorial  in  the  form  of  a 
monument  or  statue  to  perpetuate  the  memory  and  commemorate  the 
public  achievements  of  Alexander  Hamilton.  The  organization  of  the 
Association  was  due  to  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Franklin  W.  Collins,  at  that  time 
an  attorney  in  the  Department  of  Justice.  The  Association  was  incorpor- 
ated under  the  laws  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  the  incorporators  being 
Josiah  A.  Van  Orsdel,  Franklin  W.  Collins,  Charles  G.  Dawes,  Henry  D. 
Estabrook,  William  H.  Ball,  Philip  M.  Ashford  and  Paul  Sleman.  Justice 
John  M.  Harlan  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  was  elected 
President  of  the  Association,  Mr.  Franklin  W.  Collins  and  Mr.  Paul  Sleman, 
Secretaries,  and  Hon.  Milton  E.  Ailes,  Treasurer.  Upon  the  death  of  Jus- 
tice Harlan,  Justice  Josiah  A.  Van  Orsdel  was  elected  President  of  the 
Association.  Through  the  efforts  of  the  Association,  Congress  appropri- 
ated Ten  Thousand  Dollars  for  the  preparation  of  a  site  and  the  erection  of 
a  pedestal.  While  the  work  of  raising  funds  for  the  statue  was  progressing, 
a  New  York  woman,  who  desires  that  her  name  be  not  disclosed,  agreed 
to  contribute  the  funds  necessary  to  erect  the  statue,  if  the  Association 
would  provide  for  the  erection  of  the  pedestal.  The  funds  required  for  the 
erection  of  the  pedestal,  beyond  the  amount  appropriated  by  Congress, 
were  furnished  by  the  Alexander  Hamilton  Association. 


Dedicatory  ceremonies  arranged  by 
Office  of  Public  Buildings  and  Grounds 
Lt.  Col.  C.  O.  Sherrill,  U.  S.  A.,  in  charge. 


Guard  of  Honor  consisting  of  landing  force  from  U.  S.  Coast 
Guard  Cutter  "Manning."  Officers  and  men  of  the  U.  S.  Coast 
Guard  assisting  in  the  unveiling  and  serving  as  ushers. 

The  U.  S.  Coast  Guard  Cutters  "Manning"  and  "Apache" 
ordered  to  Washington  in  connection  with  the  ceremony,  by 
Rear-Admiral  W.  E.  Reynolds,  U.  S.  C.  G. 


Decorations  by  Frederick  D.  Owen. 


